Villagers resist proposed land use change in Zvishavane District

VILLAGERS from three wards along the Zvishavane-Shurugwi Highway, under Runde Rural District Council (RDC) in Zvishavane District, are up in arms with the local authority over a proposal to convert their communal land into residential plots, in line with a newly proposed Master Plan.

The affected communities, Mbilashaba, Siboza and Ward 7 argue that the proposed change of land use would displace them from their ancestral land, where they are doing both crop and livestock farming.

The council maintains that the move is aimed at formalising settlements to curb the proliferation of illegal structures, which it says is hindering orderly development.

This controversy emerged during a consultative meeting held on Tuesday in Mbilashaba, which was attended by scores of villagers, Runde RDC officials and representatives from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

Runde RDC lead planner, Mr Liberty Hunyenyiwa, informed attendees that the proposed master plan was in response to a Government directive requiring all local authorities to develop such planning documents.

“According to the new master plan, we propose the introduction of agro-residential plots to curb the mushrooming of illegal settlements. These plots are not urban, they are stand-alone and designed for both residential and agriculture,” he said.

He added that villagers would benefit from formal land tenure, with the option of paying for the land over a 30-year period.

“You will have land tenure security, and with time, title deeds. As chiefs, headmen and villagers, you must all support this proposed development meant to benefit you,” he said.

Mr Hunyenyiwa acknowledged that a number of objections had already been received from residents.

“Stakeholders have raised concerns about lack of proper relocation and compensation. Others fear that the change will amount to illegal urbanisation and that it will force people to travel long distances in search of arable land and grazing land,” he said.

Speaking at the same meeting, Midlands Provincial Planner, Mr Enock Zungula, stressed that the master plan was a national directive.

“This is a broad document and various other plans will feed into it, including detailed planning for the proposed agro-residential plots,” he said.

He noted that Runde RDC had not yet submitted its draft master plan as of April 25, due to the volume of objections raised, particularly from the affected areas.

“We cannot allow this process to divide the district. Ultimately, it’s about the socio-economic development of the area in line with Vision 2030. These plots aim to empower villagers with income-generating opportunities through agriculture,” said Mr Zungula.

In response, Headman Manyumbe rejected the proposed plan, stating it was not reflective of the will of the people.

“There are no illegal settlements here. As traditional leaders, we only allocated land to 20 families. The council wants to take some of our land and sell it to outsiders,” he said.

Headman Manyumbe cited the case of a local family that is transforming its 32-hectare plot into an irrigation scheme as evidence that the land is being used productively.

“We pray we won’t lose our land because it will be a real disaster. We are just ordinary villagers, who cannot afford to pay for this land even over 30 years as being suggested,” he said.

Mr Edmore Sibanda, a local resident, emphasised that the area has long been turned into a green belt because of the farming activities that the locals are engaged in.

“For decades, we’ve depended on this land for our livelihoods. Rather than re-allocating the land, Government should issue title deeds to the occupants. We are not interested in relocation,” he said.

Mr Zwelo Nyoni said some council officials had privately confirmed that the land is going to be sold to rich people, if what is proposed under the master plan is implemented.

“They confirmed to me that this land will be sold to individuals with money, at the expense of us who are surviving on this land. Where are we going to get money to pay for agro plots? Do you want to see us being pushed out to make way for rich people?” he asked.

In response to the villagers’ concerns, both Mr Zungula and Mr Hunyenyiwa assured the community that their objections will be submitted to Government.